25 Sep - India has selected its representative film to the Oscars, and it is Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound". The movie, which premiered in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section earlier this year, will be competing for India for the International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. "I'm deeply honoured that 'Homebound' has been chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars," said the director. "Rooted in the love for our land and our people, it carries the essence of the home we all share. To take our stories to the world and represent India at one of the biggest global stages for cinema is both humbling and a matter of pride, and for this I'm extremely grateful."
Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, the movie was inspired by Basharat Peer's 2020 New York Times essay "Taking Amrit Home" which follows two childhood friends from a small North Indian town whose shared dream was of joining the police force.
Last year, the Film Federation of India received backlash over choosing Kiran Rao's "Laapataa Ladies" over Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine as Light" to represent India, despite the latter winning at Cannes Film Festival.